Welcome!
The role of the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestras is to educate young musicians in a professional symphony atmosphere, to give opportunity to perform a wide variety of symphonic music, and to provide a variety of music education formats. It is our purpose to help prepare the young musician for participation in the world of symphonic music, either as a professional musician or as a patron of the arts.
The Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra has been presenting concerts in our communities and teaching students for 35 years.
We now offer several unique opportunities for students to play music including Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic, NorthStar Strings, Chamber Orchestra, Youth Wind Ensemble, Summer Orchestra, and Summer Jazz.
Click here to sign-up for your placement audition within our many groups.
WANT TO LEARN TO PLAY THE VIOLA, OBOE, or BASSOON? WE HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOU!
New this year, we are offering the use of an oboe to a student who may be interested in learning to play. Free lessons for 16 weeks are included. For more information, contact Mark Wamma at info@mayso.net.
Upcoming Ensembles and Performance Opportunities
SUMMER ORCHESTRA
Winter is starting to give way to spring and that means that it is time for our summer orchestra program to begin. This year's theme is Spooky Music! Musical selections will draw from the rich history of classical, film, and tv music.
The Summer Orchestra is a great way to try out ensemble playing. Students will have the opportunity to participate in two ensembles - the full orchestra (winds, strings, and percussion) and either the wind ensemble or string ensemble. And, there is no audition to join! Young musicians from beginner to advanced are welcome.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation, In Memory of Horace & Sally DeWald, L&N Andreas Foundation, Madelia Optometric, and Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council we are able to offer this session at a low-cost of $25. Rehearsals are Sundays from 1:30-4:00 p.m. beginning April 14 and ending with a concert on June 22 in St. Peter, MN.
If you are interested in joining the Summer Orchestra, click here to fill out our registration form.
Student Recital & Chamber Strings Concert
On Thursday, April 25 from 6:30-8:00 pm, MAYSO will host a student recital paired with a performance by the MAYSO Chamber Strings. Students will have the opportunity to perform their own solo with a piano accompanist in the first half of the concert. The Chamber Strings will conclude the program. The performance will take place at Trinity Chapel on the Bethany Lutheran College campus in Mankato.
The student recital is open to any and all students. This includes non-MAYSO students. All funds raised from the concert will go towards supporting future MAYSO programing.
To sign up, please fill out our registration form here.